RSPE Audio Solutions recently supplied Azusa Pacific University with a new Avid S6 Control Surface for use in their Film/TV program. The Avid S6 is now the nerve centre of their 7.1 DTS HD dub stage, which was a 78-seat theatre and screening room that has now been converted into a 7.1 surround sound mix room. APU is one of the only undergraduate film programs in the US to offer such high-end tools and instruction to students. Their Senior Thesis type films are mixed on the S6 and screened at the WGA Theater in Hollywood, CA.

Jesse Negron, Assistant Professor, Post Production School of Visual and Performing Arts, told us that the S6’s deep integration with Pro Tools was key in making the decision.

The first benefit of the S6 is its compatibility and seamless integration with Pro Tools.  At APU we have a post production lab with 15-20 Pro Tools rigs.  In our Sound Design class we break up the sound workload (foley, ADR, Dialog Editing, SFX, etc) of our advanced film projects, and student groups create stems that go to the dub stage.  Sometimes we are pushing 80-100 tracks, which is pretty significant for an undergraduate program.  We created a 7.1 surround template within the Pro Tools session that is connected to the S6.  This allows us to quickly bring in all the stems (saving premix, EQ, Dynamics settings etc.) and start mixing within minutes.

Negron went on to tell us that the Avid S6 now plays a huge part in preparing student for real-world experiences in post production, specifically surround mixing...

One of the most important elements of designing a curriculum is a strong connection to the real world outside the classroom.  The S6 is already becoming the high end industry standard.  Students are learning skills that translate directly to the Sound business.  APU's Sound Design class begins with learning the fundamentals of dialog, foley and SFX.  With the addition of the S6, we now have a robust section of the curriculum focused on surround mixing.

To learn more about the Avid M10 or M40 S6 control surfaces or to schedule a demonstration, visit RSPE's S6 Microsite.